Four escape early morning fire in Lake Oswego condo

Thanks to some quick thinking and prompt emergency services response, four residents of a Lake Oswego condominium are safe following a Monday-morning fire.

Andrew Wong, who lives at 82 Greenridge Court with his grandparents, woke up from a noise and went to investigate the cause. What he found was fire outside the front door. Quickly retreating back inside, his girlfriend called 9-1-1 at 4:24 a.m. and explained that they couldn't get out of the condominium and that the two grandparents were still inside. Wong and his girlfriend then retreated to an outside balcony.

When firefighters from Engine 210 arrived, they quickly found the fire, extinguished it and started searching for any possible victims.

"This could have resulted in a very sad situation had Wong not woken up," said Lake Oswego Fire Marshal Gert Zoutendijk.

Firefighters found both grandparents still asleep unaware of the danger. The grandfather was bedridden and was on the main floor and had to be carried outside. The grandmother was found on the second floor still a sleep. Wong and his girlfriend were found on a balcony and were escorted by firefighters to an awaiting ambulance. All four people were evaluated but none had any injuries and are staying with family.

"The only smoke alarm in the condo had been taken down and was the main reason the grandparents did not wake up," Zoutendijk added.

The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damages and investigators are looking for a cause.